Why I'm leaving the Republican Party

President Donald Trump presides over a meeting about immigration with Republican and Democrat members of Congress in the Cabinet Room at the White House January 9, 2018, in Washington, D.C.

President Donald Trump presides over a meeting about immigration with Republican and Democrat members of Congress in the Cabinet Room at the White House January 9, 2018, in Washington, D.C.

(Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

I have been a member of the Republican Party my entire adult life. I firmly believe in a federal government that provides for our national security, but has a limited role in the economic and social lives of our communities and households. I highly value individual choice, responsibility and opportunity. I proudly worked on retired Congressman John Porter’s staff and volunteered for former U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk and U.S. Rep. Bob Dold. These are all people I admire and feel represented the very best of the party.

Even though I have disagreed with some of the Republican organization’s positions, for decades I never questioned my affiliation with the party until the ascension of Donald Trump from long-shot primary candidate to president. I won’t get into his lack of vision, or policy du jour positions, or poor character, but Trump was the first Republican nominee I did not vote for in a presidential election.

He has brought disgrace to the most consequential office in the world. Over the past year, current events have turned into a bad comic strip. And after the comments Trump made during a discussion with legislators on immigration policy, referring to “s------- countries,” there is absolutely no way I can belong to the same party as this person.

I never supported Trump, but now I can’t support the party that nominated him. Beyond wealthy white males, it is very clear based on his behavior and comments that Trump has no respect for humanity. What a frightening thought for a person with so much power. One of the most important lessons I was taught by my parents and have passed on to my children was always to be respectful toward yourself and other people. Unfortunately, our nation’s chief executive doesn’t meet this standard.